The Texans face crucial financial decisions for Stroud and Anderson. A rising NFL salary cap offers much-needed breathing room for these impending contract extensions.
The Houston Texans are on the cusp of what is going to be a very important offseason in 2026. Not only does the organization want to improve so it can get past the Divisional round of the playoffs, but the franchise will also have to shell out serious cash to lock up high-level talent for the foreseeable future. The two names with contract situations that will be seen in headlines are quarterback C.J. Stroud and edge rusher Will Anderson Jr.
Both Stroud and Anderson were drafted in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, and the players each wrapped up their third season in the league. This means that both players are eligible for contract extensions, and the organization will also have to decide on their fifth-year options.
It is a privilege to have a pair of players who might demand a ton of money, but it can also create issues for an organization under the salary cap. Thankfully for Houston, the salary cap is expected to increase before the 2026 offseason according to Tom Pelissero.
The NFL's salary cap has risen dramatically over the last several seasons, and league executives expect another increase in the range of $22 to $26 million. This makes life somewhat easier on organizations that have to make decisions on some contracts, and it also gives players an opportunity to reset their positional markets.
This jump in the cap, and the consistent increases in recent years, should make life easier for Houston. Not only does it help the Texans now, but it also signals that the cap will increase further in the coming years. This means potential large cap hits from Stroud and Anderson in the future won't handicap the franchise when it comes to signing free agents and filling out the rest of the roster.
Having more money to spend gives the Texans some flexibility in making trades and being aggressive in free agency. This will hopefully allow the organization to improve in areas of need, such as the interior of the offensive line. Improvements like that will give the Texans a better chance of advancing in the postseason and achieving their main goal: winning the Super Bowl.
Houston's season has ended in the Divisional round in each of the last three seasons. It isn't a bad thing, but it is a trend the franchise would like to get past. Having more money to work with is never a bad thing, especially with the situation Houston is currently facing.